From The Soil Up Podcast

How much is the quality of your farm’s drinking water affecting animal health, growth rates and profitability?

In this episode of From the Soil Up, I’m joined by Dr Lucy Waldron to explore the often-overlooked link between water quality, animal nutrition and farm performance.

Water is one of the most important inputs in any farming system, yet its quality can easily be taken for granted. Research shows that contaminated water and reduced water intake can have significant impacts on animal performance, with potential consequences for farm productivity and economics.

We discuss what happens when livestock drink dirty or contaminated water, how pathogens and nitrates can affect animal health, and the environmental factors that influence water quality throughout the year. Lucy also shares practical insights into water sanitation, disinfection and the steps farmers can take to improve their farm’s water management.

We also explore the connection between water quality, soil microbiology and nutrient cycling, and how farmers can make better-informed decisions about the inputs and management practices that underpin a productive, resilient farm system.

In this episode, we cover:

If you’re a dairy farmer or livestock producer looking to improve animal performance, reduce unnecessary costs and get more out of your farming system, this episode offers valuable research insights and practical considerations to take back to the farm.

https://www.animalnutrition.co.nz/

What do farmers need to know about soil biology, natural capital and building more profitable, resilient farming systems?

In this episode of From the Soil Up, Conan sits down with Cameron Campbell to explore biological farming, soil fertility and the practical decisions that can improve long-term farm performance.

Cameron shares his journey into biological farming and explains how soil biology, plant health and photosynthesis influence fertility and productivity. We discuss the relationship between soil microbes and nutrient cycling, the role of trace minerals and soil amendments, and how farmers can better understand plant requirements through herbage testing.

The conversation also explores natural capital as a long-term farm investment. From grazing management and farm subdivision to succession planning and hill country legume establishment, Cameron shares practical insights into building productive, resilient farming systems.

We challenge conventional thinking around synthetic fertilisers, discuss the importance of balancing biological activity with strategic nutrient applications, and explore why investing in soil health can deliver benefits beyond immediate production, including long-term farm value and profitability.

This episode is about looking beyond short-term fixes and understanding the fundamental processes that drive farm performance.

In this episode, we cover:

Whether you're a sheep and beef farmer, dairy farmer, rural professional or simply interested in biological and regenerative agriculture, this conversation offers practical ideas for improving soil function and making better long-term farm management decisions.

What do farmers and leaders need to understand about managing a multicultural workforce?

In this episode of From the Soil Up, Conan chats to Kate Tomlinson explore the changing face of New Zealand’s dairy industry and what it takes to build high-performing, multicultural farm teams.

We talk about cultural intelligence, leadership, communication and trust, and why understanding cultural differences can be just as important as good people management. Kate shares insights into how migrant workers experience the New Zealand dairy industry, how communication styles differ across cultures, and the role that strong community and support networks can play in helping people thrive.

We also explore the changing demographics of the dairy workforce over the past decade and the pathways available for overseas workers to progress from farm employment towards leadership and farm ownership.

A key theme throughout the conversation is the role of the “enabler”. The people who help bridge cultural gaps, build understanding within teams, and create an environment where everyone can perform at their best.

If you're a farmer, manager or rural leader working with a diverse team, this episode offers practical insights into cultural intelligence, team management, communication and leadership in modern New Zealand agriculture.

In this episode, we cover:

Key themes: dairy farming, multicultural workforce, migrant workers, cultural intelligence, farm leadership, team management, New Zealand agriculture, farm ownership, communication, diversity and rural communities.

What can 50 years of experience in soil fertility, fertiliser and water quality teach us about the future of New Zealand farming?

In this episode of From the Soil Up, Conan Moynihan talks with Bert Quin about soil fertility, water quality, phosphorus, nitrogen and the evolution of sustainable farming in New Zealand.

With more than 50 years working in soil and fertiliser science, Bert offers a unique perspective on how our understanding of soil health, plant nutrition and water quality has changed — and what we may have got wrong along the way.

We explore the history of water quality issues in New Zealand, the role of phosphorus in our soils, changes in fertiliser manufacturing, and the potential for smarter management of water-soluble nutrients to reduce environmental losses while maintaining farm productivity.

Bert also introduces the Regenza concept and shares his thinking on what future farming systems could look like when soil health, water quality, farm resilience and economic performance are considered as part of the same system.

This is a wide-ranging conversation about the science, history and future of New Zealand agriculture, and what farmers, industry and consumers might need to think differently about as we look towards the next decade.

In this episode:

If you're interested in New Zealand agriculture, soil health, fertiliser, water quality, regenerative farming and building more resilient farm systems, this conversation is well worth a listen.

⁠https://quinfert.co.nz/⁠

What do farmers really need to understand about animal nutrition?

We often talk about protein, energy, fibre, minerals and feed quality as individual pieces of the puzzle. But according to animal nutritionist Dr Lucy Waldron, nutrition is much more about the relationships and ratios between them.

In this episode of the From The Soil Up Podcast, Lucy draws on more than 30 years of experience in animal nutrition to unpack what ruminants actually need to thrive and where farmers can sometimes get nutrition wrong.

We explore the fascinating world inside the rumen, why fibre and the rumen microbiome are so important, how cows turn pasture into energy, and what happens when diets become too high in protein. We also dig into the connections between nutrition, animal health, methane emissions, nitrate losses and farm productivity.

Lucy shares practical insights for farmers operating pasture-based systems, including the importance of observing animals, monitoring body condition, understanding feed quality, and using better feed-testing tools to make informed decisions.

In this episode, we cover:

If you’re involved in dairy farming, sheep and beef, pasture management or animal nutrition, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

⁠https://www.animalnutrition.co.nz/⁠

What does it actually mean to build a resilient farm system?

In this episode, Conan sits down with Dr. Alison Dewes from Tipu Whenua to unpack what resilience really looks like on-farm and why it isn’t simply about producing less or avoiding change. Instead, it’s about building systems that can flex, adapt and remain profitable when climate, markets and regulations change.

Alison shares lessons from her work across New Zealand and Australia, exploring why understanding your land use is fundamental to farm profitability, how farmers can use KPIs to measure progress towards their goals, and why a whole-systems approach is essential for making better decisions.

They also discuss the role of catchment groups, lighthouse farmers, technology and farmer-led innovation in creating wider change, as well as the importance of getting the fundamentals right before chasing the next big innovation.

If you’re interested in building a farm business that is more robust, adaptable and profitable, this episode is packed with practical ideas to help you think differently about your farm system.

Key takeaways:

https://www.tipuwhenua.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-dewes-9307b235/

How will the next generation of New Zealand farmers get into farm ownership?

In this episode of the From The Soil Up Podcast, Conan sits down with Seb Chapman from Seedling Investment to explore the changing landscape of farm ownership and the challenges facing young farmers wanting to build a future in agriculture.

Seb shares his journey through dairy farming and explains why traditional pathways into farm ownership are becoming increasingly difficult. They explore alternative approaches including share farming, small land blocks, investment models and the potential role of KiwiSaver.

The conversation also dives into farm succession, land values, family agreements and the structural challenges facing New Zealand agriculture, as well as how sustainability and soil health can contribute to long-term farm value.

Seb shares the thinking behind Seedling Investment, its vision for the future and why creating more accessible pathways into farm ownership could be critical for the future of New Zealand farming.

In this episode:

If you're a young farmer, part of a farming family thinking about succession, or interested in the future of New Zealand agriculture and land ownership, this is a conversation worth listening to.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-chapman-fruitminder/

https://seedling-investments.com/

What if one of the greatest opportunities to build more resilient farms is simply to embrace more diversity?

In this episode of the Force of Nature Podcast, Conan sits down with Karen Fisher to explore how diversity in nature, farming and people can create more resilient and adaptable farm systems.

Karen shares her perspective on system-led resilience, regenerative agriculture and why we need to look beyond the symptoms of problems and understand their root causes. We explore what weeds can tell us about soil and ecological health, how economic and ecological diversity can strengthen farm businesses, and why observation is such an important skill for farmers.

The conversation also takes a fascinating turn into neurodiversity in agriculture. Karen discusses how different ways of thinking, personality types and individual strengths can contribute to innovation and better decision-making on farms.

We also unpack the influence of environmental policies and subsidies, the importance of farmer-to-farmer learning, how to approach regenerative farming progressively, and how farmers can balance ecological health with profitability.

Towards the end of the conversation, Karen shares some simple ideas around slowing down, connecting with nature and regulating the nervous system that can support both farmer wellbeing and better observation of the landscape.

If you're interested in regenerative agriculture, soil health, farm profitability, resilience, agroecology, neurodiversity or systems thinking, this episode offers plenty to think about.

In this episode we discuss:

Connect with Karen:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-fisher-43a51718/

https://www.instagram.com/harvesting.potential/

Chef Ben Bayly on building a New Zealand food identity, storytelling, provenance, and why our farmers and producers deserve better recognition.

What does it actually take to put New Zealand on the map as a world-class food destination?

In this episode, we sit down with chef and food advocate Ben Bayly of Ahi Restaurant, recently awarded a Michelin Star, to unpack why storytelling, not just quality, is the missing ingredient in how we market our food.

Ben shares his journey from young chef to Michelin-starred restaurateur, and why he believes New Zealand's culinary identity has been undersold internationally. We dig into the parallels with the wine industry's rise to global prestige, why lamb and dairy are often invisible on the world stage despite exceptional quality, and how direct relationships between chefs, farmers, and producers can change that story.

We also get into some topics you might not expect from a food conversation: wild game and pest species as an underused, biodynamic food resource, the regulatory hurdles stopping farmers from diversifying their income, and what it really takes to build a resilient, values-driven hospitality team.

In this episode:

Whether you're a farmer, chef, food producer, or just someone who cares about where your dinner comes from, this conversation offers a compelling case for why New Zealand's food story deserves to be told, and told well.

Connect with Ben:

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/benbaylynz/?hl=en⁠

Ahi Restaurant: ⁠https://ahirestaurant.co.nz/⁠

Your health and the health of the land beneath your feet are inseparable. In this episode, Conan sits down with Stacey Curcio of Cultivating Wellness to explore the deep connection between soil health, regenerative agriculture, and human wellness and why it's time to break down the silos between agriculture and nutrition.

Stacey shares how farming practices directly shape nutrient density and biodiversity in our food, why the soil microbiome matters as much for human health as it does for crop health, and how food culture and intergenerational cooking knowledge have been quietly lost and can be reclaimed.

You'll learn why context matters more than rigid nutrition rules, how to build foundational habits for wellbeing, and why nature itself is one of the most powerful (and underused) tools for health.

In this episode:

https://www.cultivatingwellness.com.au/about